Harry Bartell

In this cunning and character-rich episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon investigates a seemingly simple case of mistaken identity that unravels into a far-reaching horse theft scheme. When rancher Emmett Bowers is accused of stealing a horse, tempers flare in Dodge City. The accuser, Charlie Disher, claims the horse is one of 17 stolen from his ranch on the Canadian River—and he’s got the brand registration to prove it. The investigation reveals that Bowers unknowingly purchased several of Disher’s horses from a drifter named Vic Lowry, who has vanished without a trace. As more townspeople realize they’ve been swindled, a posse threatens to take justice into their own hands. But Matt, determined to avoid a lynching, asks for one week to resolve the case his own way. With Chester keeping Disher distracted and Matt patiently waiting for the final horses to surface, a trap is laid. When a new buyer brings the last two stolen horses into Dodge, Matt sets a clever ruse in motion—leading him and Chester to a remote cabin, where the truth behind the horse theft is revealed in a violent and tragic confrontation. Horse Deal is a tale of deception, patience, and poetic justice on the frontier, showcasing Matt Dillon’s moral authority and strategic thinking in the face of rising mob justice. Keywords: "Gunsmoke Horse Deal episode," "March 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon horse theft investigation," "Vic Lowry scam story," "Charlie Disher ranch horses," "Western mob justice conflict," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts," "classic Dodge City radio drama."

When a furrier is found dead in his shop, Friday and Romero begin piecing together a web of lies, leading them to a mysterious blonde with a mink coat and a bottle of cheap wine. With only a few scattered clues — a missing mink, a muscatel-stained pair of slacks, and a suspicious telegram — the detectives must track down a cold-blooded killer before she disappears into the night. Tags:Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, mink, robbery, muscatel, 1950s, furcoat, betrayal, murder

A wave of brutal purse snatchings has left women across Los Angeles living in fear. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero take on the case, setting a trap to lure the violent thieves out into the open. As they close in, the investigation reveals a pair of young criminals who have taken their crime spree too far. Tags:Dragnet, robbery, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, investigation, crimewave, policework, LosAngeles, 1950s, detective, suspense, pursuit

When a woman is found murdered in the Bartlett Hotel, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are called in to investigate a supposed robbery gone wrong. The husband’s story doesn’t quite add up, and a witness points police to a suspicious man staying in a nearby hotel. As the pieces fall into place, Friday and Romero uncover a web of deception that turns this case into something much more sinister. Tags: Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, deception, robbery, murder, crime, 1950s

A shocking accusation rocks the LAPD when rookie officer Russell Clark is charged with robbery and assault. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must unravel the truth behind the claims of a beaten and robbed civilian—who insists the officer is to blame. With the reputation of the department on the line, Friday and Romero dig deep into the case, searching for witnesses and evidence that could clear Clark's name—or confirm his guilt. Originally aired: June 1, 1950. Tags:Dragnet, police, LAPD, truecrime, investigation, justice, noir, betrayal, rookiecop, crime, deception, lawenforcement, 1950s, robbery, interrogation

In this riveting episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon watches as the frontier legal system is twisted into a weapon of injustice. When Homer Tisdale, a starving homesteader, is accused of stealing a handful of potatoes, Matt refuses to jail him. But days later, Homer is charged with a far worse crime—robbing the stage office and murdering Charlie Reynolds. Despite his protests of innocence, Homer is swiftly put on trial before the newly arrived Judge Stokes, a man whose interest in whiskey far outweighs his interest in the law. With two supposed eyewitnesses—storekeeper Van Walcott and stage agent Jay Buford—testifying against him, the outcome seems inevitable. But the true injustice unfolds when Homer’s court-appointed lawyer refuses to mount any defense at all. As Matt investigates, he realizes that the real criminals are the very men accusing Homer. Walcott, Buford, and Judge Stokes are all part of a conspiracy to steal $10,000 from the stage office—and pin the crime on a man too poor and powerless to fight back. In a dramatic climax, Matt corners the conspirators, exposing their plot and arresting the corrupt judge in a rare act of frontier justice. This episode is a gripping examination of power, corruption, and the resilience of one man standing against a broken system. Keywords: "Gunsmoke The Trial episode," "March 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon vs corrupt Judge Stokes," "Homer Tisdale framed for murder," "Dodge City stage office robbery," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts," "classic Western radio drama."

In this tragic episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself entangled in a deadly love triangle that ends in murder. Willie Calhoun, a lonely homesteader, arrives in Dodge City determined to marry Pearl Bender, a saloon girl he believes returns his affections. But Pearl has long been involved with the volatile and controlling Web Thorne, a gambler who has no intention of letting her go. Calhoun, armed and stubborn, refuses to accept reality, threatening anyone who might stand in his way. Matt steps in to prevent bloodshed, forcing Pearl to choose once and for all. To Calhoun’s devastation, Pearl refuses his proposal, leaving him heartbroken and humiliated. Days later, Matt is awakened by news of a shooting—Pearl has been gunned down in her own home. With her dying breath, she names her killer: Willie Calhoun. Fueled by grief and rage, Matt and Chester track Calhoun to his homestead, where the truth is finally revealed—Calhoun had meant to kill Web Thorne, not Pearl. In a cruel twist of fate, his blind devotion to Pearl led to her death by his own hand. This haunting episode explores themes of obsession, jealousy, and the irreversible consequences of a man unable to let go of love. Keywords: "Gunsmoke Poor Pearl episode," "February 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Willie Calhoun tragedy," "Pearl Bender and Web Thorne," "Western love triangle gone wrong," "Dodge City murder mystery," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

The Tolmans have come to Dodge City, bringing with them a tangled web of family secrets and impending danger. Jed Tolman, a boisterous old man with a knack for finding trouble, is the target of a mysterious assailant who seems determined to end his life. His sharp-shooting daughter, Hannah, pleads with Marshal Matt Dillon to protect her father by putting him in jail. But as Matt digs deeper, he learns that Jed’s troubles might have more to do with the recently released Vic Tolman, Jed’s own son, a wanted murderer and robber. As Jed stubbornly resists revealing the truth, Matt must unravel a tale of greed, betrayal, and family loyalty. With Hannah’s fierce determination and Vic’s ruthless tactics, the Tolman family feud escalates into a dangerous confrontation that threatens the peace in Dodge City. Featuring standout performances from William Conrad as Marshal Dillon and Parley Baer as Chester, this episode highlights the gritty complexity of family ties in the Wild West. The Kentucky Tolmans delivers suspense, drama, and a chilling reminder of how far people will go to protect their secrets. SEO Keywords: “Gunsmoke Kentucky Tolmans,” “August 9 1952 Gunsmoke episode,” “Jed Tolman story Gunsmoke,” “Western family feud radio drama,” “Gunsmoke classic episodes,” “Marshal Matt Dillon family drama,” “Vic Tolman Gunsmoke plot” Tune in to this unforgettable tale of family, honor, and deception in The Kentucky Tolmans!

In this poignant episode of Gunsmoke, Matt Dillon’s past collides with his present as a stagecoach brings an unexpected arrival to Dodge—Cara, a woman from Matt’s days in Arizona. As Cara settles into her new life, her charm and mystery capture attention, but questions arise about her true motives. Sheriff Benton from Wichita stops by Dodge with news of Jack Tolliver, a notorious bank robber heading south. A key detail about Tolliver’s gang sends Matt’s suspicions towards Cara, especially as her actions seem to align with the gang’s modus operandi. As Matt grapples with conflicting emotions and his duty as a marshal, tensions rise, leading to a showdown with Tolliver and his gang. Featuring an intricate tale of betrayal, redemption, and justice, this episode blends emotional depth with the action-packed drama that Gunsmoke fans love. SEO Keywords: Gunsmoke Cara episode, May 1 1954 Gunsmoke, Gunsmoke bank robbery story, Matt Dillon Cara relationship, classic western radio drama

"Jaliscoe" - Gunsmoke Radio Episode (May 10, 1952) Essential Western Radio Drama: Tension on the Frontier In "Jaliscoe," the third episode of CBS's groundbreaking radio Western Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon (William Conrad) confronts rising tensions between cattle ranchers and homesteaders after a settler family is brutally murdered. When evidence points to Jaliscoe Pete and his outlaw companions disguising their crime as an Indian attack, Dillon must solve the case before it ignites a bloody range war and provokes military action against innocent Kiowa tribespeople. Historical Significance & Fun Facts This episode marks the first appearance of Georgia Ellis as the character "Miss Kitty," who would become a cornerstone of the series. Ellis had appeared in the premiere episode, but as a completely different character named Francie Richards. "Jaliscoe" was written by Les Crutchfield, who would go on to become the second most prolific writer for Gunsmoke (radio and TV combined), with 138 scripts to his credit. The episode aired just two weeks after the series premiere and helped establish Gunsmoke's reputation for tackling adult themes and complex frontier conflicts. The character dynamics between Marshal Dillon and Kitty begin to develop in this episode, establishing one of radio and television's most famous relationships. Gunsmoke was deliberately created as an "adult Western" to counter more juvenile fare like The Lone Ranger, and this episode exemplifies that approach with its nuanced portrayal of racial tensions and land disputes. William Conrad's commanding performance as Matt Dillon in this episode helped cement his reputation as the definitive radio voice of the character, though he would later be replaced by James Arness when the series moved to television. The sound design and effects in "Jaliscoe" demonstrate the show's commitment to creating an immersive prairie setting that was revolutionary for radio drama of the era.

Originally Aired: April 26, 1952 Billy the Kid: A Marshal’s First Case: In the very first episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon faces off against the notorious Clay Richards, a wanted man accused of murder and attempted bank robbery. When Clay’s lifeless body is discovered near the river, the townsfolk of Dodge City quickly assume justice has been served. But Matt isn’t convinced—the evidence doesn’t add up, and the mysterious disappearance of Clay’s gun raises more questions than answers. As Matt digs deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of deceit, with suspects ranging from Clay’s closest friends to those who stood to gain from his death. But when a runaway boy from Cottonwood turns up with Clay’s missing gun, Matt realizes the case is far from over. In a dramatic showdown, Matt must prevent a lynch mob from taking justice into their own hands while navigating the moral complexities of frontier law. This inaugural episode introduces audiences to the gritty realism and moral ambiguity that would define Gunsmoke, setting the stage for countless tales of law and order in the Wild West. Keywords: "Gunsmoke Billy the Kid episode," "April 1952 Gunsmoke radio debut," "Matt Dillon first case Dodge City," "Clay Richards murder mystery," "Dodge City bank robbery drama," "classic Western radio series," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts." Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Don Diamond, Harry Bartell, Richard Beals, Paul Dubov, Mary Lansing.